Tag: careers

What is Content Marketing and Why Does It Matter?

Posted on November 11, 2025 by

A close-up shot of a laptop and a person's hands typing on the keyboard, used to describe content marketing.

At Open Communications, we don’t just churn out words and hope they stick. We create the right content, for the right audience, in the right places, and we make sure it does the heavy lifting for your brand.

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what “content marketing” means, why businesses invest in it, and what it could do for you, here’s our straight-talking approach.

 

What is content marketing?

Think of content marketing as the long game in your communications strategy.

It’s not about shouting “buy now” at anyone who will listen. It’s about building a genuine, lasting relationship with your audience so that when they need what you offer, you’re the first name they think of.

It involves creating and sharing press releases, videos, social posts, podcasts and other materials that:

  • Build trust in your brand.
  • Show your expertise.
  • Keep your audience engaged.

The overarching goal? To encourage action – whether that’s making a purchase, sending an enquiry or simply seeing you as a go-to source for insight and information.

The key thing to remember is this: it’s not about filling space online. It’s to make your audience want to hear from you, while also keeping them coming back for more.

 

Why does this matter?

Today’s audiences are savvy. They can spot a hard sell from a mile away, and most will scroll right past it. Content marketing works because it focuses on value first and sales second.

That value might come in the form of a blog that answers a question they’ve been Googling, a social post that makes them nod in agreement, or a video that explains something complex in a few simple steps. Sometimes it’s a podcast that offers a fresh perspective from someone they respect.

By consistently sharing helpful, relevant and more importantly, engaging content, you’re doing more than just selling. You’re building credibility, showing you understand your audience’s world, and proving that you have the expertise to help them. Over time, this positions you as a trusted source – and trust is the foundation of every successful customer relationship.

 

What does it include?

When we work with clients on content marketing, we don’t just start typing. Every piece of content has a clear role in a wider plan.

That means considering elements such as:

  • Keywords – so your content gets seen by the right people at the right time.
  • Messaging – keeping your key points clear, consistent and memorable.
  • Tone of voice – so your brand personality comes through across every channel.
  • Call to action (CTA) – guiding your audience on what to do next without being pushy.
  • Positioning statements – making it clear where you sit in the market and what sets you apart.
  • Talent – sharing insight and experiences from the team through thought leadership articles and comment pieces.
  • Evidence of expertise – case studies, statistics, and examples that strengthen your authority.
  • Third-party contributions – trusted voices that boost your credibility even further.

It’s a joined-up process. Whether we’re writing thought leadership articles, case studies, or social campaigns, every piece of content reinforces your brand and moves your audience one step closer to you.

 

Why we offer it

The reason is simple: it works.

A strong content marketing strategy delivers value in a way that a one-off sales pitch can’t. It builds relationships, it gives people reasons to trust you, and it helps them remember your name.

We also know that not every business has the time or headspace to keep content fresh, relevant and effective. That’s where we come in. We work as an extension of your team, getting under the skin of your brand, so every piece feels genuine and on point.

As an agency that specialises in PR, social media and multi-media content, we make sure your message doesn’t live in isolation. Instead, it’s part of an approach, a complementary set of tactics that promotes your business, giving you consistency and impact across every channel.

 

Why not just write it yourself?

After all, anyone can put pen to paper.

But… producing effective content is about more than just writing well. It’s about knowing what will resonate with your audience, structuring it so it’s easy to read or watch, and optimising it for search without losing its human touch.

It’s also about maintaining consistency across multiple channels and formats, making sure your tone, messaging and quality don’t slip. And crucially, it’s about tracking what’s working and adjusting your plan accordingly – something that doesn’t happen overnight and takes time and a strategic eye.

When you work with professionals, you’re not just outsourcing the writing. You’re bringing in the experience, perspective and know-how to make your content work harder, and freeing yourself up to focus on running your business.

 

Our approach at Open Comms

Let’s be honest – content marketing can sometimes feel like a lot of noise.

That’s where we come in.

We cut through the jargon and focus on creating content that actually makes a difference for you and your business. For some clients, that’s blog posts that keep them front of mind. For others, it’s social media content that sparks conversation, thought leadership that positions them as experts or multimedia pieces that stop the scroll.

We don’t do “one size fits all”. Every client is different, so every strategy is tailored. But what is the same is that we get to know your business inside and out – your challenges, your goals and your audiences – so we can create content that genuinely connects.

 

The bottom line

Content marketing isn’t about filling space or ticking boxes. It’s about making meaningful connections, showing off your expertise and building trust over time.

Done well, it can:

  • Attract new customers.
  • Strengthen relationships with existing ones.
  • Position you as a leader in your field.
  • Support your wider marketing and PR activity.
  • Secure sales.

What’s more, PR and marketing will deliver results you can actually measure, helping your business grow over the long term.

 

Let’s talk content

If you’re curious about how content marketing could work for your business, we’d love to chat. We’ll put the kettle on (biscuits are on us!) and talk through how we can help you connect with your audience, share your story and deliver results.

At Open Comms, we don’t do air kissing, but we do offer straight talking, creative thinking and a content marketing strategy that works as hard as you do.

Get in touch with us today.

Considering a career in PR

Posted on August 11, 2025 by

Tileyard North where Open Comms is based in Wakefield

In July, Charlotte Woods came to Open Comms for work experience. Although she didn’t have long at the agency, she took the time to write a blog about her thoughts on a career in PR. Find out more about her experience and what she thought of agency life below. 

Where do I see myself in 20 years? One thing that has always fascinated me is consumer behaviour and how brands become successful. As I grew up, I learned to understand that the key to this success is all about how a brand is marketed, and how a relationship is developed between these companies and their buyers.

This is where PR comes in: an ever-developing industry that allows for creative freedom and encourages the use of imagination in a strategic way to increase audience reach.

As an A-level student, I currently study English literature, Psychology and Media studies – all of which I find to be very stimulating and ingrained with a sense of individuality. These subjects allow me to consider the nature of existence across three different sectors, across different time periods and across different cultures.

Public Relations combines elements of Psychology: delving into how people (especially buyers) think, perceive and process information; English literature, in that creativity and the ability to critical think are valued attributes in PR, with words being a key form of expression; and Media, as studying the contemporary social climate in terms of social media and digital convergence is more prominent now in the PR sector than ever before.

The skills I have gained from my studies thus far have not only set me up well for a career in marketing but have attracted me to the industry.

Behind the scenes

Following a short placement the Open Communications, a PR agency in Wakefield, I had the chance to put some of the theory I had learned into practice.

From my experience, I have come to understand the calibre of skill that is required to be successful within such a competitive, fast-paced position.

The variety of clients across a broad range of industries is something new to me and the versatility of the companies that are marketed by Open Comms ensures that no two working days are the same, with plenty to be busy with.

The diverse nature of the world of marketing ensures that there is always an opportunity for continuous learning, whether this is being exposed to new tools, trends or platforms, such as TikTok.

I do, however, love to learn new things and thrive when doing so, so this felt like a good fit for me.

Building a high level of necessary, relevant skills associated with marketing is very much a product of the environment. The results achieved by the team at Open Comms showcases the benefits of such a relaxed, friendly work environment, which is also an ideal space for creative freedom and general wellbeing.

Communication, being a crucial part of a job within PR, is something that is very effectively done at Open Comms. During my short time here, I have witnessed the productive use of different tactics to deliver a desired outcome.

It is through my experience here that I have come to appreciate the creative talent and flare that this role requires, and it is from the struggle I faced when trying to complete a plan for a client’s social media accounts that I fully understand the key skills involved within this sector – most notably the creativity aspect.

Exploring my options

As I consider the future, contemplating different University options and potential courses (although I am leaning very much towards English Literature), I must consider the final goal and desired outcome, both in terms of career aspirations and general life goals.

I can very much see myself working in an environment such as this one provided at Open Comms, although I cannot be certain that the industry will look the same in five or ten years’ time.

This is both an advantage and disadvantage of working within the PR sector: It allows for flexibility that cannot be found in many other roles, and this means that you never feel stuck doing the same thing each day. Conversely, with the rapid growth and introduction of AI, a degree of uncertainty surrounds the future of PR and how the roles will adapt to this new concept.

So, where do I see myself in 20 years? Hopefully with a degree, a house, a family all on the back of a successful career whether this be in public relations or not. If I do choose this career path, I will embrace the teamwork, creativity and flexibility, and if I do not, I will certainly carry forward with me the knowledge and skills I have learned, both from my studies and from my experience at Open Comms.

Exploring future careers: could PR be right for me?

Posted on August 11, 2025 by

Open Communications

Back in July, we welcomed Emily Hooper to Open Communications. As a college student, she is exploring a possible career in PR. Find out what she thought of agency life and how this may have shaped the opportunities she explores in the future. 

As a current A-Level student, I am in the process of figuring out my future and my next steps towards an eventual career, with an angle of English in mind. I have always been fascinated by language and the importance that literature holds in the real world to communicate meaning so PR has stood out to me as an ideal career path.

During my study of English and Media, I have learnt to analyse discourse to reveal its intended and hidden meanings, how to write and structure a succinct and comprehensive piece of literature and have also developed my empathy and cultural awareness to communicate with and to a plethora of different demographics and psychographics.

What draws me to PR, is the combination of creativity and communication used alongside the intention and strategy behind the crafting of media messages. I am interested by the variation in the work and the constant problem-solving that is required to navigate the needs of clients.

A day in the life of a PR executive

As a student, I was really interested in how we can apply the theory we are learning into practice. As such, I decided to get in touch with Open Comms to see if I could come along for some work experience to gauge what a typical working day looks like for them, the type of tasks they are faced with and what a career in PR really entails.

I was initially impressed by the creative and communal atmosphere of the building, which is based at Tileyard North in Wakefield, and the bunch of friendly faces I was met and welcomed with.

I really enjoyed being in a relaxed office environment as I felt I could work independently while being surrounded by like-minded people who are all willing to help at any moment.

Seeing how the team worked together showed me just how valuable collaboration can be and how hard-working every individual is to reach their end goal, while also loving their job!

I was pleasantly surprised by the type of activities I was introduced to and given to do throughout the day and found the relationship between the company and their clients fascinating.

For example, I was tasked with creating a timetable of social media posts across multiple platforms for Glaziers Hall, a Livery building in London. I was specifically intrigued by the purpose of each platform, the difference in target audience and the types of things you need to consider to meet these requirements.

What stood out most was the down-to-earth, straight-talking nature of the agency which made the experience so comfortable and made me feel very accomplished through my work.

I feel very lucky to have gained this experience and to have witnessed very positive real-life examples of the work that is required and that goes on in this sector and I’m sure it is very much for me.

This experience has ultimately confirmed that PR could be the path for me!

Adapting to a changing landscape  

Something to consider about this career path however is the rise in AI and the uncertainty this creates for those working in the area as it has the potential to displace people from their jobs or at least will require a level of adaptation as the need for people to operate these jobs will reduce significantly.

This industry is constantly changing and developing though so it is impossible to predict what the future holds; companies will always require the skills of those who can understand the way people think and feel about an organisation or brand and how to adapt and overcome in the face of adversity.

Overall, in a few years’ time, I can absolutely see myself working in an environment such as this one, doing the jobs that Lindsey and Laura from Open Comms are doing. Given it is a blend of everything that interests me now as an English/Media student, along with the whole atmosphere and community that was so pleasant to be a part of, I can certainly see myself working in an agency.

Where I see myself in the future  

I see myself with a degree in English, employed in a company such as Open Comms doing work in PR, communicating with and writing for clients to support their brand and build their reputation.

I’m sure that I will thrive in a job like this, getting to be around and collaborate with other people and enjoy the fact that no two days are the same! PR is an unpredictable career but from what I have seen, a fascinating, very rewarding job and a lovely kind of environment to work in.

SPINNING PLATES: THE IMPORTANCE OF MULTITASKING IN PR

Posted on July 8, 2020 by

PR is an incredibly exciting profession to be a part of. Each day is different and there is never time to get bored. With news angles changing by the hour, the industry is relentlessly fast paced. Add to this the fact that we have a portfolio of clients spanning multiple sectors, we must remain constantly alert. All of this while simultaneously managing numerous campaigns and social media platforms. It’s no wonder that working in PR is frequently likened to ‘spinning plates’.

If you feel a little out of breath already, you’re not alone! But, with some careful preparation and a lot of practise, the pace of PR becomes second nature. All while remaining as exhilarating as ever.

Plan, schedule and adapt

Keeping on top of each of these elements requires a lot of planning, so being prepared in this profession is a must. Only by creating robust schedules is it possible to consistently deliver all that is needed for our clients.

That’s not to say that there aren’t unexpected things to deal with too. In fact, much of our work involves little notice and short deadlines. Unfortunately, the news agenda waits for no one. If we want our clients to be on the correct side of it, being responsive and adaptable is vital.

Love to learn and learn to succeed

A love of learning is essential in PR, especially if you work agency side. Not only is it necessary to build on your understanding of the industry, but with each new client there are further opportunities to grow.

Devising social media and content marketing schedules for brands, PR has quickly become the profession responsible for subject matter experts and thought leadership. This means we need to be well versed in topics that we may never previously have imagined.

Being adaptable and willing to learn is a must for anyone wanting a career in PR.

Review, revise and thrive

Just when you think a task has been ticked off your ever-expanding list – think again!

To uphold the highest standards, approval processes are stringent. At Open Comms, regardless of seniority within the company, nothing leaves the building without having been seen by another set of eyes.

Each piece of content is then sent to the client for further approval. While this usually hits the mark, we are always open to revisions. After all, we want everything that we produce to be as close to perfect as possible. That way, our clients receive only the very best from us.

With feedback coming thick and fast, resilience is a really important quality for anyone working in the industry. Each client has their own style, so being able to adapt and respond to the needs of different personalities is certainly a skill worth having.

If you’d like to hear more about our spinning plates and juggling tendencies, or are interested in hearing more about the serious side of Open Comms (although we do find that a little giggle from time to time goes a long way) – visit the ‘what we do‘ page, give us a call on 01924 862477 or contact a member of the team on info@opencomms.co.uk.

WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING IN PR

Posted on June 17, 2020 by

What I love most about working in PR

Since earlier this year, I have had a lot of time to think about what I love most about working in PR. I’m not entering a mid-life crisis, although I am quickly approaching 40. My husband and I have adopted a baby.

This life-changing moment in our lives has given us both the chance to look back, as well as forward. During these last few months, I’ve been reassessing my priorities. Although family have always come first, I really appreciate the importance of work to me now too.

I thought it might be useful to share more about what I love most after more than two decades in the industry.

 

Variety

The first thing I love about PR is that no two days are ever the same. I’m not the kind of person that manages well with monotony or jobs that come with rigorous and defined process. What I enjoy is the variety of clients, objectives and tactics that we get to work with every day.

It could be a campaign to launch a new snack or a crisis that has the potential to bring a business to its knees. PR is a specialism with many benefits and that means we need to be on our toes. It’s not a job that you can plan for and know what’s going to happen each day.

There is always a list of things that you know will need completing, but there’s also the unexpected tasks that invariably impact on our working week too.

We have the pleasure of managing accounts for a huge array of clients and that supports variety. They all need something different and that makes PR really exciting.

 

Challenge

I wouldn’t say that PR is for the faint-hearted. It never stops. Never sleeps. Cannot be ignored. Putting you head in the sand when you work in PR is not an option.

Managing the press office for a number of clients is a challenge in itself. After all, how many people can say they are trusted with a brands reputation? It is arguably the biggest asset an organisation has.

Add campaigns, crisis, marketing materials and social media posts to the mix and you have a complex balance to manage every week. An old director of mine once said PR is like spinning plates, and I agree. Making sure they don’t fall certainly keeps the blood pumping.

 

Meeting people

It helps to be sociable when you work in PR. It isn’t a prerequisite; however, it does make life easier.

With colleagues, clients and journalists to work with, you need to be able to get on with others. That’s even before you consider influencers, partners, suppliers and brand buddies.

The positive to this is that you get to meet some really interesting people. As well as famous celebrities, I’ve met individuals that have had a profound impact on my life. Those that have taught me life lessons I will never forget. In addition, I’ve made some life-long friends.

I don’t think that is something that you should discard or take for granted. A career in PR will create experiences like few others and that’s another reason I love it.

 

A sense of achievement

In my opinion, it’s time to look for a new job when you stop getting excited by the results you can achieve in PR. Securing coverage, attracting an audience, featuring on broadcast, creating campaigns that get people talking. It’s all part of the mix.

I love that feeling of butterflies when you know something has gone well and you get the chance to share your achievements with clients and colleagues.

It’s not about showing off. It is about being proud of what you have achieved and knowing that you’ve done a good job. There are few better feelings.

 

Shared success

At Open Comms we have clients that have trusted us for years. As such, we have shared in their success. The reward that comes from this can be quite overwhelming. Whether it’s a charity that has changed beyond recognition or a brand that launched and is now a multi-million-pound business. Each client we work with gets our full attention.

Knowing that your efforts and hard graft has delivered for a business is genuinely fulfilling. PR is a specialism that can change opinion. It can influence decision. Grab attention. Provide a brand with purpose.

All of these things make it an incredibly powerful tool and that is a further example of what I love most about working in PR.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK IN PR?

Posted on May 29, 2020 by

Why would you want to work in PR

It’s a fair question. PR is challenging. You never get chance to switch off. As part of the day job, you must manage multiple relationships. It’s about working to other people’s deadlines. There is a constant feeling of being accountable for your own actions, and sometimes those of others. So, why would you want to work in PR?

We work in an industry that is constantly changing and that makes it exciting and unpredictable. It also means that we need to keep abreast of any new tactics that could benefit our clients. This puts us in a position where we are constantly learning.

For those that like to push themselves, PR is a perfect career path. It isn’t for the faint-hearted. Unless you have worked in the industry, it’s somewhat of an enigma. The assumption is you write copy and send it to a journalist, but the reality couldn’t be more different.

The traits of a PR professional

Becoming an exceptional PR professional takes time and experience. I don’t believe you can ever stop learning and so, as a practitioner and business owner, I make it my mission to read, listen and digest.

Working in PR for more than two decades has changed me. I have had to adapt my style, consider my approach and ‘give my head a shake’ on many an occasion. Although I was as eager as the next graduate when I started my career, I can now see I was naïve and inexperienced.

I now appreciate that taking a step back, however urgent a deadline, will almost always benefit the outcome. Attention to detail is essential and sloppiness unforgiveable. Having the ability to communicate with a person as they prefer is a skill. Listening is as important as sharing your thoughts.

When we look for PR professionals to join Open Comms we don’t have a carbon copy that we replicate. There is no one size here. We know that to provide our clients with the best results, we need a team that has a variety of personalities and experiences.

The common denominator for us is that people work hard and that they have shared values; to do a job and to do it well.

Where the PR industry is heading

The future is an interesting path. It’s not one that we can predict with any certainty. This year of all others has shown us that. We hear a lot that digital communications will continue to dominate our lives and that this will be how consumers access information.

The way that I see it, rather than predict how an industry will change, we focus too much on a single medium. When we look at the reality, PR is more about the message, it’s content and timings. The medium is the vehicle, the PR is whatever it is you need to deliver.

The future for PR, as I predict it, will continue to focus more on the story, whatever the medium.

Storytelling is becoming increasingly important as people want to learn about the personalities behind the brands they purchase from. Being better equipped to make informed choices is an expectation, not an exception.

With the more mindful shopper comes the need to share. The challenge arrives when businesses are expected to put pen to paper. Messages need to be concise,  copy compelling and sharing consistent. The tone needs to be reflective of the brand and the approach honest. Furthermore, at every step, the communication that is being shared needs to resonate with the audience.

It’s not always as simple as it seems.

Appreciating the complexities

PR isn’t a game. It isn’t ‘fannying around with press releases’ or drinking fizz at events. Nor is it freebies, new outfits, fast cars and lunches. And, it isn’t easy.

The landscape changes every day; mediums change, trends change, tactics that will work for clients change. Every. Single. Day.

Our specialism is one that fits within the wider marketing mix. It is a skill and requires professionals to deliver if they want to achieve results for clients. Anyone coming into the industry thinking it will be an easy ride is in for a rude awakening.

Working across sectors and with business to business, business to consumer and third sector organisations keeps us busy. At Open Comms we appreciate that every single brief, from every single client, is different.

This means we have to deliver our very best all of the time. We can’t take one model and apply it to the next company. It doesn’t work like that.

The benefits are that we get to create year-round plans and campaigns that have real impact. We work to objectives and then share the results. This means we can share in the success of each brand we work with.

That feeling is invaluable.

Consistent, compelling content will deliver results

There is so much more to PR than meets the eye. We cover so many different skills from event planning to activation, creative development to crisis management. No two days are ever the same.

The one consistent in our industry comes back to copy. If we want to deliver results for our clients’ we need to use copy to meet with objectives. Creating consistent, compelling content that can be shared across platforms needs to be our bread and butter. The thing that we deliver better than all others.

The message should build, the creative support and the overall outcome be excellent results.

Storytelling, finding angles and articulating the message in the right way, using the right medium, at the right time is PR.

It is exciting, quick-paced and fun.

Getting to the heart of a story and sharing it with passion and enthusiasm is a skill. Seeing copy in print, whether online or in print, is a real achievement. Watching campaigns gain momentum is exciting. Sharing this journey and the subsequent success it brings to business is what makes our industry so appealing and a great career option.

Trying it out for size

When I started my training in PR, we were told to find some experience.

We would be expected to give up ‘our time’ to gain experience from agencies. Not only did it give us the opportunity to put the theory to practice, we could see PR in action. This was a real turning point for me and made me realise this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

For others starting out, my advice would be to do the same. Be eager, aware, assertive, willing to approach businesses, to ask for experience and be willing to work. If you have what it takes, I can guarantee that PR will be a career that keeps on giving.

For anyone interested in learning more please do call a member of the team at Open Comms.

TRANSITIONING FROM JOURNALISM TO PR, ONE YEAR ON…

Posted on February 14, 2020 by

This time last year, I was preparing to leave my career in journalism behind.

A necessary change

After four and a half years in the industry, I finally made the decision to switch to public relations. But, as my former colleagues often taunted and teased me about turning to the ‘dark side’, I can safely say that the transition has been an extremely illuminating experience.

During my tenure as a business journalist, I was on the receiving end of the hard work of many PR professionals. Whether it was receiving press releases, organising interviews, collecting client comments or the often-tedious task of sourcing high resolution images, collaborating with PR agencies makes the lives of journalists a hell of a lot easier.

Although I’m sure many in the profession may be quick to disagree, or squirm at this admission, it is the truth!

Yes, journalism is a competitive, demanding and high-pressured job, but it can also be extremely exciting and rewarding. The thrill of being the first to break a story, working towards an impending deadline, meeting high-profile individuals, being privy to many major announcements and simply not knowing what the next day may bring were just a few of the things I thought I’d miss about being a journalist.

When my decision came to light, I found myself on the receiving end of the vitriolic questions journalists often pose to their target. But the majority of my contemporaries would simply want to know ‘why?’

Leaving a legacy

In recent years the rollercoaster ride of being a journalist turned into more of a repetitive slog where the twists and turns were becoming less frequent and lacked the thrill they once provided. In a world of economic uncertainty and squabbling politicians, the same doom and gloom headlines dominated the news in a never-ending cycle.

‘What legacy is this?’ I often asked myself. The realisation finally came that it was my time to stop and get off the rollercoaster. Another force pulling me to the ‘dark side’ was the positive experiences I had during my frequent encounters with PR professionals from a plethora of different agencies. I was always intrigued about the variety of clients just one PR agency could work with and the diverse ways in which they strategically operate to reach a certain outcome.

Collaborating with multiple businesses; learning about different sectors; promoting beneficial initiatives; marketing the latest products or just simply learning and refining new skills are a number of aspects which made PR much more appealing to me than journalism. My days of finishing one story then going on to the next were over.

My PR journey begins

Not long after joining Open Communications, I was introduced to what it really meant to be an agency that delivered PR, social media and content marketing strategies for brands and businesses across a range of sectors.

The concept that public relations industry revolved around writing press releases and making phone calls all day was quickly eradicated. My reality check was quick. PR professionals are multifaceted, motivated individuals who need to prioritise their own time, strategically plan out each day and week and expect the unexpected.

The biggest eye-opener for me was initially monitoring the scale of the day-to-day tasks the team carries out and how they all form part of a results-driven process which is applied to every single client.

Gone are the days where I’d be churning story after story for newsletter after newsletter, hoping and waiting for the monotony to end. My daily activities now comprise a range of tasks I didn’t have the means to complete just one year ago.

With no two days ever the same, I can be writing copy for a clients’ new website; laying out a comms strategy to enter new markets or creating promotional content one day, to researching the latest innovative features in a specific field or carrying out a social media campaign across multiple platforms the next.

It is also worth mentioning that the good old-fashioned press release still plays an important part but it’s certainly not the sum of the piece!  This is the sort of legacy I want to leave, and I cannot wait to see where my PR career continues to take me.

My First Week at Work (by Ellie aged 15)

Posted on June 29, 2018 by

From the very start, here at Open Communications, we have made it our mission to give people a chance. Not everyone in the agency has come from a PR background but when people approach us, we take the time to think about the transferable skills that they have and how they could benefit our clients and the campaigns that we deliver.

It’s not all about degrees and qualifications!  

When it comes to young people, when possible, we like to give them the chance to experience the variety and wonderful world of PR through short placements. This isn’t just an exercise in CSR, it’s an opportunity to encourage, to nurture and to build the confidence of students that just may decide PR is the career choice for them.

And so, here is just one example of how we have done just that. Ellie (aged 15) is a secondary school student that lives in the same village as me. She was finding it hard to find a placement – and given that we live in a very remote part of the Yorkshire Dales, it’s hardly surprising!

Ellie approached me one weekend and asked if it would be possible to work at Open Comms. In the following blog (in her own words) she describes the week that she had with us and how in just five days she was able to draft a press release, write a blog, attend a client meeting and learn more about PR, an industry that before this experience she hadn’t heard of never mind considered as a career choice for the future.

 

My First Week at Work.

Finding a Placement.

A couple of weeks before work experience was due to begin, I found that it was more difficult than I had expected to find a placement, so I was going to stay at school for a week, which is really frustrating, because I was eager to get out and to learn outside of the classroom.

So, I decided to use my initiative to look for a placement outside of the local area. I was speaking to some family friends who have their own business and that is when Lindsey started to tell me about PR and what she does for a living.

It sounded really interested and I got really excited by the conversation. I had never heard of PR before, so this was completely new to me. I wasn’t sure if it would be possible, but I asked if she would be willing to offer me a place with her for my work experience. I felt so relieved when I knew I had a different place to go rather than school, nobody wants to stay in a classroom when they can experience something new and exciting!

Leaving home for a week.

Because the agency is in Leeds I have had to stay away for a week. I don’t normally stay away from home for so long, but I have done it on occasion before so I know what it’s like. Because I have never worked in an office before, just the local pub in my village, I had no idea what to wear and no Idea what I needed to bring with me.

Rather than stress too much about it, me and mum just threw some of my nicest clothes in a bag and hoped that I would have an outfit each day that would be suitable. I had to bring some of my dresses, which I very rarely wear, and it felt weird walking into an office with clothes on that I felt would be more suited to a night out. Needless to say, it was quite out of my comfort zone.

First day.

For a start, getting up at 7am every morning was the first hurdle! I normally get up at 8am for school, so it was a bit of a challenge getting up and ready to leave the house so early.

Once I was ready – and I had managed to get everything in my bag for the day ahead – me and Lindsey went to Tesco’s to get some lunch before setting off on the 30-minute drive to the offices.

The estate the office is in (Nostell Priory Estate Yard) is lovely and the sun was shining so it looked even better. Once we are all parked up and got our bags out of the car, we came into the office and I had a little desk set up for me with a laptop, sticky notes and pens.

I sat down and got out my note pad out ready to get started. Just then, Ed walked through the door and came straight up to me to shake my hand. I wasn’t really sure what to do, people don’t usually greet me like this and it freaked me out a little. I literally never shake anyone’s hand and I don’t know why but it scared me to death! (I have been laughing about it all week).

The first task of the day was for me to watch Anna go through the social media accounts for HARIBO. When she goes through all the social media she has to reply to any messages on Facebook and Twitter. It was great to feel useful, as I helped her to choose what to put in the replies to each of them.

Some of the comments can be quite interesting, while others are quite funny and made me laugh, it just goes to show what a varied mix of fans the brand has.  

When we had finished that, Lindsey sat me down to talk about a press release; what it is and what it is used for.

I had no idea where to start and although I could have asked for help, I could see everyone was really busy, so I used my judgement and watched a number of podcasts on how to structure a press release.

I noted it all down and put it together like a facts sheet off the internet. I then put some time aside to do some research about the charity that I was writing the release for.

Before long I was ready to put it all together; my first press release done, and in wasn’t that difficult although it did take me a while.

So, my first day done and I have to say, my first impressions of the team where that they’re really nice people and so welcoming. They’re also talkative which I really liked.

Day two.

On my second day I finished off the press release. I was very proud of the completed piece and I went through it with Lindsey. Although she made some amends, I was still really pleased to see that much of the content I had drafted was used.  

We then sent the press release to the organisation that it was about for their approval. Within the hour the company had come back to us and agreed it was a really good piece.

It felt really good to have it approved because it’s my first ever press release that I have ever done and they liked it, so when they came back with such positive comments it was great.

The next step was to send it off to a selection of local journalists. We did this using a platform called Vuelio. It is a website that has all of the contact details for all of the journalists in the country on so you know who the best person will be to send a release on to and which publications are relevant.

Day three.

On my third day I came into the office and Lindsey suggested that I draft a blog about my experience. I think blogs are important because they give people a little glimpse into your personality and what you’re interested in. They also draws people’s attention to the website that you are posting them on and can be shared on other channels like YouTube or across social media pages.

By this stage in the week, I feel quite settled in the office now, I’ve had a chance to get to know everyone a little bit better and they are all so lovely and friendly. I love the fact that they all watch Love Island (even Ed!) and it’s the topic of most of the convocations we all have together! 

On my lunch break I went for a walk around the park and it was gorgeous, its’s quite different than at home because all the fields and land is filled with cows and sheep (and their muck) but here it’s so well looked after and it’s such a big area to just walk around and take some time to relax. 

When I got back I was asked by Emma to pack some boxes for a campaign that the agency are planning. I didn’t really understand why I was doing it at first, but then Emma explained that it is a way of sending products to journalists and that it gives them chance to experience and eat the products that we distribute.

On this occasion we were working on an updated product for HARIBO which is still top secret!

Day four.

On the third day me and Lindsey went to see a client. It felt weird going into another office and discussing future plans with them about their company and on this occasion their new website.

The office looked quite modern and everyone that I met was very friendly, which was nice. Lots of people where smiling at me and I felt really welcomed.

We went into a large meeting room on the top floor, which was quite daunting, but we were soon discussing plans for the website and I felt confident enough to share my thoughts and suggestions. The client seemed quite pleased that I was interested and that I had some views to share.

It was quite a long meeting and we didn’t get back to the office until gone 3pm. I continued to write my blog and to record all of the things that I had done and learnt.

Day five.

Well, it’s Friday, and my last day of work experience. It’s been great; being a PR for a week is completely different to what my normal life is like. I like working in an office because the atmosphere is calm and the environment is quiet – until Anna and Mish start chatting about Love Island!

There are always lots of different things going on in PR and different ways in which you can approach things. It has been weird being away from home, but like I said, I have done it before and it’s not like I’m staying with strangers!

I’m pleased that I have learnt what happens in a PR agency and what the team is tasked to deliver for clients. The biggest achievement of the week has to be that I was able to draft a press release and understand more about the stages that it goes through to get to where it needs to be.

Lindsey has promised to keep me updated with the coverage and to share it with me when it comes through. I can’t wait to add it to my portfolio.

Over all it’s been a great experience and who knows, PR just might be the career choice for me in the future but for now it’s back to the classroom.

Taking the time to make a difference

Posted on March 10, 2017 by

C6UV2wPWgAIk3tt

We try to make a difference wherever and whenever we can here at Open Comms but like many busy businesses, it’s finding the time that’s the trouble! It’s often the case that we have the best intentions but don’t have the hours in the day to contribute or commit to the good causes that we would otherwise support.

I’m not talking about putting some pennies in a pot, it’s more about the wider impact that we can have as a result of sharing our knowledge and adding some value where it matters most. Many charities are desperate for resources that go beyond financial donations and that’s where we are able to offer our support.

It’s not always about the pounds and pence

Just one great example of an organisation that understands the challenges that are faced by smaller businesses that still want to contribute is Ahead Partnership. The organisation works as a facilitator between schools and organisations to bridge the gap between learning and earning.

Working up and down the country, Ahead Partnership provides businesses with the opportunity to give something back. Not only does this benefit the local community, which is often a big tick for corporate organisations, but it also has a direct impact on the talent of the future – win, win.

What’s even better is that their programmes and activities are flexible, giving smaller businesses the chance to do their bit and get involved.

Back to the classroom

So, on Tuesday when I was invited to an interview practice session at Wakefield College I was really interested. The problem was that I simply couldn’t allocate a whole day to the activity. Ahead Partnership was great and gave me a half day slot so that I could contribute.

Walking into the College was quite nerve-wracking, as someone who didn’t do particularly well at school, I still expect to end up stood outside the head master’s office. Thankfully, there was no need for my heart to be hammering and I was instantly put at ease by the team.

I was given a pass and shown to a table to await the first student. We were equipped with an overview of the activity, which had been sent a number of days in advance, including a list of questions that we could use as a guide.

Remember your p’s and q’s

I believe very strongly that you should use your own experiences to positively influence others and one of the first real lessons I learnt as a young adult was to remember your p’s and q’s. This wasn’t about manners as such, but more about realising that your personality is just as important as your qualifications.

I truly believe that people buy people and that this is also true of interviews. As such, when the first candidate came into the room, I was immediately aware of the one thing I always notice… the handshake.

Interestingly, during the whole day, there was only one student who came across and put their hand out. It’s not necessarily a criticism (although I did mention it to each person who came along) but was simply an observation.

All of the students that I had the pleasure to meet with were articulate, ambitious and most surprisingly had a clear plan of action in terms of their next steps and where they wanted to be. They approached the session with gusto and were very gracious of any constructive criticism they received. Clearly, this was always followed up with the positive points too – I’m not a tyrant!

A lesson learnt

I must have met with around 8-10 students during the time that I was involved in the activity and I have to say I’m not sure who learnt the most.

The stories that the students had to share, particularly in relation to their motivations and influences, was simply remarkable. No two students were even remotely similar and they ALL had something very special to offer.

What was really refreshing was the variety of roles that the students were hoping to secure when they left school or graduated. Everything from a special needs teacher, business manager, digital developer, coding expert, hotel manager and everything in between! On top of that, they all had a real belief that they could achieve whatever they put their minds to. And so they should.

Encouragingly, most of the students I met had either volunteered or had part-time jobs. This is something that I hold in huge regard and think it is essential if you want to build experience and skills that will last a lifetime. I was also really pleased to hear that this is something that is very much endorsed by Wakefield College.

Final thoughts

What a great experience.

Although I was struggling to allocate the time in my diary, I am so pleased I took out just four hours of my day to do something different and to give something back. However insignificant you may think it is, I hope that just one of those students walks into a room and shakes the hand of the person in front of them.

But most of all, I wish each and every one of those students the very best and encourage them to continue to follow their dreams, wherever they may lead.